When Jeffrey steps across the stage and takes his degree in a few short years, he won’t be the only one who benefits. Every graduate is a million dollar victory for the future of Los Angeles County. Every South Central Scholar who leaves high school college-ready, who has the services and support to succeed, makes our region stronger and more prosperous. Investors in L.A. and around the country have taken notice of LASIF’s impact and are coming together to realize the potential of our children.

Jeffrey Castro’s parents instilled in him a drive to attend college. But just as he entered high school, tragedy struck. His father passed away, leaving his mother to provide for him and his two older brothers. College seemed further away than ever. Then he discovered LASIF partner Upward Bound.

So much attention is placed on college admission, but what happens next? That’s the question South Central Scholars staff found themselves asking as their students began their journeys into higher education.

Experience shows that scholarships aren’t enough to close the graduation gap. LASIF combines need-based scholarships with intensive services before and during college to end the college completion crisis and increase the number of low-income youth who achieve their degree. That’s how LASIF programs have helped tens of thousands of Angeleno students prepare for, pay for and succeed in college.

Few things transform a life like a college diploma. A bachelor’s degree can lead to an additional $1 million in lifetime earnings, but it’s about more than just money. College success benefits entire communities. That’s why the Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund combines need-based scholarships with innovative services proven to help students graduate.

At a time when a college degree is more necessary than ever, Los Angeles County is facing a graduation crisis. In this issue, you’ll learn the extent of this crisis and how donors are joining forces to end it through the Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund.

Launched in 2012, the Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund seeks to increase the number of low-income Los Angeles County youth who complete college. Part high-performing mutual fund, part innovation incubator, LASIF partners with nonprofit organizations to provide scholarships and services that get students to and through college. The data in this document reflect the impact of LASIF since its launch.

The California Community Foundation supports a diverse portfolio of high-impact college access and success organizations serving low-income students in Los Angeles County. Each year, these nonprofit partners collectively help tens of thousands of students get to and through college, graduating at rates far higher than local or national averages. These organizations contribute to the cohort through shared best practices, a collective data system and other collaborative ventures. Since LASIF’s launch in 2012, a total of 30 organizations have received support, benefiting more than 26,000 students and their families.

Launched in 2012, the Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund (LASIF) is increasing the number of low-income L.A. County youth who achieve their dream of a college degree. By combining need-based scholarships with intensive services before and during college, LASIF addresses the multifaceted financial, academic and personal barriers that have led to a college completion crisis in our community. In this brochure, you can discover the extent of the college graduation crisis in Los Angeles and how LASIF is helping thousands of Angeleno youth get to and through college.